Little Ten rivals set for showdown

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SERENA - They'll meet for a third time.

Little Ten Conference volleyball stepped up big Tuesday night with league champ Hinckley-Big Rock and runner-up Newark advancing to Thursday's title match of the Class 1A Serena Sectional.

"We've had two really close matches with them, they're always tight (matches). I'm really pumped for Thursday," said H-BR senior outside hitter Jenna Thorp, who led her team to a 25-15, 25-11 win over Christian Liberty Academy of Arlington Heights with seven kills, two blocks and three service aces.

Junior Katie Larson was the model of efficiency Tuesday in helping lead the Norsemen to their 25-23, 25-14 win over Morgan Park Academy. She had 12 kills with just one error on only 19 attacks.

"She's got some hops, a great approach and a great arm swing," H-BR coach Don Watson said. "I don't know if she's a club player but she sure plays like one."

His Royals, who are now 26-8-1, rallied from an early 3-1 deficit in the opening game behind the serving of setter Cassie Kroner (15 assists) to take a 7-3 lead.

Moments later H-BR was up 8-5 after a Thorp block kill. She then served five straight points and the result was never in doubt. The Royals opened a 7-0 lead in the second game and cruised.

"I thought we played our game and took them out of their game," Thorp said.

Newark seemed to be cruising, too, in its match. The Lady Norsemen broke from an 11-11 tie and took a 22-15 lead on a Mariah Michaelson ace.

The Warriors took a timeout, but Michaelson added another point on a Morgan Park passing error. Morgan Park's Carmyn Polk stepped up to serve and reeled off seven straight points, thanks to several Newark errors, pulling her team within 23-22.

Julia Panozza hit the ball into the net -- giving the Norsemen match point and the serve -- but then came back with a strong kill to pull her team within 24-23.

Newark setter Miranda Schmidt, who would finish with 20 assists, then set Larson for the game-winner.

After Newark took a 10-2 lead to open the second game, Morgan Park was out of comebacks.

Freshmen Taylor Krug and Abby Akre added three kills each and Sammi Eddy had 10 digs.

"I don't know if we ever got into a rhythm," Newark coach Tonya Nagel said. "Morgan Park's hitters are pretty accurate. They play a slower tempo game and we needed to force them to play our (faster) tempo.

"At the end of the first game I was frustrated. We weren't getting into our system or rhythm. It should have never come down to that (close finish), but we showed our maturity there."

Impressive, since Newark has just one senior on the roster. Nagel's team started the season 6-8 after two senior starters decided not to come out this year. It took time, but the Norsemen have gelled and have won 18 of their last 22 and are 24-12 heading into Thursday's big bout.

Watson said he expects another close match after his team beat Newark 25-21, 25-21 in the opener and 25-23, 25-23 in the Little Ten Tourney title match.

"I don't think anybody ever had more than a 1- or 2-point lead up to 20 in either match," he said. "The key will be if we can shut down their outside hitter. We've got a height advantage on the blocks but their setter does a nice job on the back set."